Safety arrangement for a motor vehicle
US6877579B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2710/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mechanism is provided for lowering the height of the front part of a motor vehicle. A radar sensor is provided to sense the proximity of an adjacent vehicle. A signal is passed to a control unit which responds when a potential accident situation is detected. An output passes to a valve unit which is actuated to permit gas from an inflatable element to escape through a nozzle. As the gas escapes the element reduces in length, and a lowering housing element connected to a wheel of a vehicle moves upwardly into an upper housing element which is fixed to part of the structure of the vehicle. Thus, the front part of the vehicle is lowered so that the bumper on the vehicle is at an appropriate height.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.